The King takes care of business

Mark 11:11-13

And he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple. And when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.
On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry. And seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see if he could find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. And he said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard it.

When Jesus comes to Jerusalem, he enters as the Messiah, the coming King. What he finds there is not at all to his satisfaction. What he see in the temple must cause him deep distress. The subsequent cleansing of the temple appears in all the Gospels – John says that Jesus made a whip of cords. This was a considered act. So what does Jesus see late in the day that causes him to turn away and return to Bethany? Think of a market closing for the day, the litter and detritus of the day, the filth and excrement of the animals, little knots of men counting their money, the now empty bird cages. Is it any wonder that he leaves disappointed, angry even? The next morning he returns, early because it says he was hungry. So no breakfast then… the last time it was said that Jesus was hungry was after the forty day fast, prior to the temptations of the devil in the wilderness. Quite possibly Jesus had fasted all night and in the morning, he was anticipating a confrontation that day. So when he came to the fig tree he sees it apparently flourishing out of season. His expectation is that he will be able to find some fruit. When he does not he curses the tree. This, seemingly, is out of character for Jesus. This incident has caused biblical scholars and commentators through the years to come up with all kinds of explanations as to why Jesus does this. Some say it is a picture of the coming judgement on Israel, others that there was an expectation of fruit as some figs did bear in this season. Others that Jesus was angry and capricious in his judgement.

However, it seems the me that Marks account is all about the kingdom and the King, and when the King comes by you had better be ready to show forth your good works! The King has an expectation that his kingdom will produce fruit in season and out of season. In fact, the tree is a picture of how he finds Israel, and the temple worship. A lot of outward activity but no fruit. Instead of true worship and prayer in Israel and in the temple, he finds a corrupt withered heart. The outward signs are still there of devotion to God, but the reality is that the heart is rotten to the core.